Deaths from COVID-19 rose to 50 in Tulare County on Monday as the total number of confirmed infections pushed past 1,150 in the area. Meanwhile, county health officials are urging residents to wear face masks around others outside the home to slow the spread of the virus.
Ten additional deaths and 400 new COVID cases have been reported in Tulare County over the past seven days. The health department website shows 969 individuals in the county are in self-isolation.
New Face Mask Recommendation from Health Officer
The updated case numbers follow new recommendations from the county health department recommending that individuals wear face masks in various settings. In a news release Friday, Health Officer Dr. Karen Haught said face coverings should be worn:
- While inside of, or waiting in line, to enter a store, business or other facilities;
- While providing “essential government functions” and when seeking care from health facilities;
- When waiting for or riding public transportation;
- On the job, “where the public is, or is likely to be, present and at any time when others are nearby.”
The statement noted that people can be infected and contagious 48 hours before developing symptoms.
“Many people with the COVID-19 virus have mild symptoms and do not recognize they are infected and contagious, and they can unintentionally infect others,” the release said.
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Facebook Video from Tulare County Health Department
Tulare County Health Order Aligns with Newsom Plan
Haught also revised Tulare County’s COVID-19 emergency order on Friday to align with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s phased “Resiliance Roadmap” for reopening businesses and industries. The state is in Phase Two, allowing for “non-essential” local retail stores to offer online sales with curbside pickup only. Some “non-essential” manufacturers can also resume operations.
A number of local elected officials in Tulare County are pushing for a faster timetable than allowed under the state’s order. Last week, Visalia’s city council announced it would not enforce Gov. Newsom’s stay-at-home order. According to the Visalia Times-Delta, councilmember Phil Cox suggested from the dais Thursday that risk from the coronavirus may diminish in the weeks ahead.
“We don’t know how accurate the scientists are,” Cox said. “We get 100 degrees here in California, and this thing may die out for a half year.”
But Haught urged caution.
“We are concerned about the growing number of cases and the great need for contact tracing, which limits the county’s ability to open businesses beyond the soft opening of Phase Two,” she told the Times-Delta.
Fresno County Nears 1,000 Cases, Parks Open
Fresno County health officials reported 60 new cases on Monday, raising the area total to 945 confirmed infections since the pandemic began. Of those, 617 individuals are being actively monitored, including 132 who are hospitalized. The county reports nine COVID-19 deaths.
The county also announced the reopening of all county-run parks and campgrounds, effective immediately. A news release said the facilities will operate at about 50% capacity and asked users to limit group gatherings to 10 people or fewer. Users should wear face masks when social distancing can’t be maintained, the statement said.
Play structures and picnic shelters remain closed. Park hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., the release said.
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Businesses Begin Reopening Across City
The city of Fresno allowed many “non-essential” retail businesses to reopen Monday for in-store shopping, a step beyond what is allowed under the state’s plan. Customers are required to wear face masks while inside a business and capacity is limited to one customer for every 500 square feet of floor space. Vehicle dealerships are also permitted to resume in-person sales.
Businesses permitted to reopen in the city of Fresno include:
- Auto, truck, boat, motorcycle, RV and mobile home sales
- New construction
- Furniture stores
- Electronics and camera Stores
- Spa and pool stores
- Lawn and garden equipment stores
- Building and remodeling supply stores
- Auctions
All other retail businesses can conduct online sales with curbside pickup or delivery. Restaurants continue to be limited to take-out or delivery orders. Businesses such as salons, gyms, and entertainment remain closed under local and state orders.
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Angie
May 11, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Well I have been going out the last few days and hardly anyone is wearing masks, it’s a shame . Stop the spread, so your part, it simple.
jennifer bennetts
May 11, 2020 at 9:27 pm
Again i will state that the cloth masks do not guarantee ANY protection from infection and actually state that in writing on the package that they are sold in at the stores. The cloth masks made from scarfs and other clothing are dangerous bc you are literally breathing in sweat and other bacteria and you are defeating the purpose in this hot weather. Masks CUT OFF OXYGEN TO THE BRAIN. So people need to learn how to breathe in them and you have to have medical mask in order to actually prevent infection. People like myself with rare genetic lung disease such as primary pulmonary hypertension cannot wear them bc it CUTS OFF OXYGEN TO THE LUNGS. You people need to read and understand what you are doing bc you are not actually protecting yourself from anything and if you are getting sick its bc your so called mask are probably the clothe ones. They do not protect from the fluids, sneezes, coughs, etc. Read the labels, its there. OMG. people this is laughable.
John
May 12, 2020 at 9:59 am
You completely miss the point – we are not trying to stop the INTAKE of the germs – we are trying to cut down on the OUTFLOW from infected people many of whom are asymptomatic. And walk around spraying their droplets on everybody. We know the scarves and cheap masks don’t completely stop the droplets – but they stop a large amount. I want people to wear them to protect me from their spit being sprayed into the environment.